Key Features to Look Out for in a New Family Home

Buying your first family home is a very exciting experience. Perhaps you’ve just welcomed a precious new-born into the world, or need a secure, larger space to accommodate your growing family. Unfortunately, looking for your family home is not always easy; unless you get lucky you can be almost certain of some serious searching for the perfect combination of location, features, size, safety and price.

Finding the perfect family home needn’t be a struggle. Apart from the obvious – size, location, and price – we’ve listed some of the main things to look for.

Garden and Landscaping

When you purchase a family home with the hope that your children will be happy growing up there, it’s always good to look out for a nice garden. A large and secure outdoor space is often top of the priority list for parents searching for a home; you’ll not only be able to allow your children to play out to their hearts content, it can also double up as a space for entertaining guests or simply relaxing on your own.

Energy Efficiency

It’s not just the initial cost that you need to keep in mind when buying a family home. Before you sign the papers, you’ll also need to consider how much it’s going to cost you to keep the home running and maintained. One of your biggest running costs will likely be your energy bills.

Consider the size of rooms, whether the home has up-to-date insulation in the wall cavity and loft space, the energy-efficiency of the boiler and plumbing systems, and whether the home is compatible with energy-efficient appliances or smart heating control. Bear in mind that older, less energy efficient homes can usually be upgraded – in some cases this could be more cost-effective.

Child Safety

Although you’ll probably make every effort to child-proof your new home, you don’t want to have your work cut out when it comes to making sure that your little ones don’t injure themselves once you’ve moved in. During viewings, keep an eye out for any potential hazards whilst you are looking around.

Don’t forget to check outside, too – the outdoor space of your potential new home could be particularly hazardous to children, especially if you are hoping to purchase a home with a swimming pool.

Storage Space

When viewing a home, don’t forget to look at the type of storage options available. How many cupboards do you have in the kitchen? Is there enough room for bigger wardrobes or smart storage solutions to be added?

If you are moving storage furniture from your current property to the new one, it’s a good idea to take measurements beforehand. You can then get a better idea of how your furnishings are going to fit into the potential homes that you view.

Every family is different – choosing the perfect home comes down to finding an option that’s ideal for your family’s needs.